ough the park that afternoon, he was surprised to hear
light footsteps behind him, and, on turning, to discover that his
pursuer, of all people, was Miss Rosalind Oliphant.

"Hullo!" said he, "this is flattering, with a vengeance."

"Mr Ratman, I want to speak to you, please," said Rosalind, very pale
and nervous.

"Excuse me," said he, "that's not my name; my name is Roger Ingleton.
What's the matter?"

"It's about my father. Have you seen him?"

"Just left the dear man."

"He says he owes you money, and that you threaten to ruin him. Is that
so?"

"Upon my word, if you want to know, it is."

"How much is it, please?"

Ratman laughed.

"Nothing. A trifle. Fifteen hundred pounds or thereabouts."

"Fifteen hundred!" faltered she. "Does he owe you all that."

The little she had to offer was a drop in the bucket only.

"Look here," said he; "Miss Rosy, your father's in a fix. I don't want
to be hard on him, but I must have my money or its equivalent. Now, I
should consider it a very fair equivalent to be allowed to call him
father-in-law. I may not be up to your mark in some things, Miss
Rosalind, but I've a good name, and I flatter myself I know beauty when
I see it. Now, think over it. It's the only chance your father's got,
and you might do worse for yourself than become the mistress of
Maxfield. Good-bye. Shake hands."

She drew herself up with an air and a flush of colour which redoubled
his admiration, and without a word, turned away with rapid steps.

Mr Ratman was sorely tempted to follow this beautiful creature, who, in
all his chequered career, had been the only human being to discover the
few last dregs of affection in his nature. As much as it was possible
in such a man, he was in love with this debtor's daughter. The
sensation was novel and exhilarating enough to afford him food for
cheerful reflection as he walked on towards the station.

So engrossed was he in his day-dreams that he forgot that even country
trains are occasionally punctual, and that, at least, he had not much
time left him to catch the one he aimed at. Indeed, it was not till,
within a few minutes of the station, he caught sight of the train
already standing at the platform that it occurred to him to bestir
himself. He ran, shouted, and waved his arm all at the same time, but
to no effect. The whistle blew as he entered the yard, and as he
reached the platform the guard's van was gliding out of the statio